Fix Excel Hanging at Opening Solver.xlam After SSD Migration
Question details
Microsoft Excel freezes or pauses indefinitely at the startup screen while attempting to load the Solver add-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Excel after cloning or migrating the operating system and Office installation from an older hard drive to a new SSD.
- Observed behavior
- The application hangs on the launch screen displaying the message 'Opening: Solver.xlam'. Disconnecting the computer from Wi-Fi temporarily bypasses the freeze and allows the program to open.
Before proceeding with a clean installation, verify your Microsoft account credentials and ensure you have access to your Microsoft 365 or Office product key for reactivation.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Office
A complete uninstallation using the official recovery tool clears out corrupted registry keys and add-in paths caused by the drive migration.
Migrating your system to a new drive can sometimes corrupt the file paths, permissions, and network verification protocols associated with built-in Excel add-ins like Solver.
A standard uninstall from the Windows Control Panel often leaves these corrupted registry entries behind. Using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant ensures a complete wipe of the faulty configurations.
Visit the official Microsoft troubleshooting page and download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool.
Launch the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove all traces of Microsoft Office from your PC.
Once the tool finishes processing, restart your Windows computer to finalize the removal process and clear system cache.
Navigate to Office.com, log in with the Microsoft account linked to your software license, click 'Install Office', and follow the instructions to download a fresh copy.
Disable the Solver Add-in via Safe Mode
If you need immediate access to Excel and cannot perform a full reinstall right now, disabling the Solver add-in temporarily bypasses the freezing issue.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless and Lightweight Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to hang or you are tired of dealing with add-in corruptions after hardware upgrades, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that opens your spreadsheets instantly without bloated startup processes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install WPS Office on your new SSD.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and drag-and-drop your existing Excel files directly into the workspace to continue your work without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does disconnecting from Wi-Fi temporarily fix the Solver.xlam freeze?
When Excel loads certain add-ins like Solver, it may attempt to verify digital signatures, check for background updates, or validate licenses over the network. If the SSD migration corrupted your network pathways or Office permissions, Excel hangs while waiting indefinitely for a response. Disconnecting the network forces this background check to fail instantly, allowing Excel to proceed with the launch.
Can I manually delete the Solver.xlam file to stop the freeze?
It is not recommended to manually delete built-in Office files from your Windows directory. Doing so can cause further application instability and trigger missing file error messages every time Excel launches. It is much safer to disable it through the Add-ins manager or repair the installation.
Will reinstalling Office using the Support and Recovery Assistant delete my custom macros?
A clean reinstall preserves your user documents, but custom macros stored in the Personal Macro Workbook (PERSONAL.XLSB) or custom templates in the default Office installation folder might be reset. Always locate and back up your 'XLSTART' folder before running a deep uninstallation tool.
